Purpose: The University of Oregon establishes this policy to identify general
goals and strategies for a commitment to environmental responsibility. Through
enacting and implementing the vision of this policy the University of Oregon
will be a positive example and play a significant role in the advancement of
environmental stewardship on the campus and in the local and greater community.

Policy:

As established in the Mission Statement, "The University of Oregon strives
to enrich the public that sustains it through the acceptance of the challenge
of an evolving social, political and technological environment by inviting and
guiding change...." In keeping with this vision and to maintain the campus effectively
while also working to preserve the rights of future generations the University
affirms its commitment to environmental excellence and actively promotes the
public's right to a healthy, quality environment. The University of Oregon will
work toward the goal of balancing fiscal and environmental responsibility in
making decisions and in general University practices. The University acknowledges
its role and responsibility to provide educational, social, and financial leadership
to achieve the goals of the policy.

Goals and Strategies:

I. Commitment to Environmental Education. The University recognizes on going
education for all members of the university community about the importance of
environmental responsibility and the provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental
Policy.

A. The University commits to assuring that the university community is aware
of the Comprehensive Environmental Policy and understands its roles in its implementation.

B. The University recognizes its academic role in fostering leadership by educating
the university community about environmental responsibility and will continue
to support environmental education in the curriculum.

II. Environmentally Responsible Purchasing Policies. The University recognizes
that one of the primary methods of exercising its commitment to environmental
responsibility is through its purchasing choices. The University will strive
to obtain maximum value for its expenditures and will work towards obtaining
the "best value" by balancing short and long-term costs, maintenance, life cycle,
and environmental costs in purchasing goods and services.

A. The University acknowledges that environmentally responsible purchasing
choices will help create and sustain markets for environmentally responsible
and recycled content products.

B. The University commits to the goal of making environmentally and fiscally
responsible purchasing choices that consider life cycle costs, long-term implications,
and relative environmental harm of products.

III. Efficient Use and Conservation of Energy, Water, and Other Resources.
The University recognizes the importance of conservation efforts and efficient
use of resources as the primary method to be used to reduce resource consumption.

A. The University commits to minimizing the consumption of energy, water, and
other resources by eliminating wasteful practices and promoting efficient use.

B. The University strives to maximize energy efficiency in existing buildings,
renovations, and new construction.

C. The University commits to exploring and implementing well-considered and
feasible conservation measures in existing buildings, renovations, and new construction.

D. The University will explore the application of developing technologies for
energy systems and use of resources, as well as the potential for use of renewable
energy resources.

IV. Minimize Solid Waste Production. The University recognizes the importance
of minimizing solid waste generation by the community. The University will establish
policies and processes that will reduce solid waste generation; first through
reduction, secondarily through reuse, and finally through recycling.

A. The University commits to waste source reduction, especially at the point
of purchase.

B. The University supports reuse of materials to maximize fiscal, environmental,
and energy efficiency.

C. The University supports development of waste-food composting and bio-mass
resource recovery programs.

D. The University commits to a comprehensive recycling program as the final
step in solid waste reduction and as a means to transform waste into a resource.

V. Minimize Hazardous Waste and Toxic Materials On Campus. The University acknowledges
the importance of safe management of hazardous and toxic materials and will
continue to establish policies and processes to maintain efficient use, tracking,
storage, and disposal of hazardous and toxic materials.

A. The University commits to keeping the presence of toxic materials on campus
and the generation of hazardous waste within the university community at reasonable
levels for work and research on campus.

B. The University supports environmentally responsible disposal of hazardous
waste.

C. The University commits to keeping the presence of radioactive materials
used on campus at reasonable levels as needed for research and supports environmentally
responsible disposal of radioactive waste from within the university community.

VI. Environmentally Responsible Campus Design and Planning Principles. The
University recognizes the importance of environmentally responsible practices
in developing the physical characteristics of its community. The University
will consider environmental implications in the development, construction, and
operation of campus infrastructure, grounds, and buildings.

A. The University will strive to balance sound fiscal practices and environmental
responsibility in the maintenance and further development of the planning and
building of campus facilities.

B. The University will work toward the goals of providing landscaping and grounds
maintenance practices that use vegetation compatible with the local environment
and that use integrated pest management techniques.

C. The University has an ongoing commitment to facilitating pedestrian travel,
bicycle use, and other modes of transportation that minimize environmental impact.

Follow Up, Review, and Update

Units, as determined by University administration, are required to prepare
their own sub-policies based on the framework established in this Comprehensive
Environmental Policy within one year from the date of ratification of this policy.
Subsequent plans for implementation shall be developed within one year from
the date of ratification of the policy and following sub-policies. The Office
of Environmental Health and Safety shall be responsible for administering and
monitoring this policy. All members of the university community are invited
to support the University's effort to meet the goals of this policy by contacting
the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and offering comments and suggestions
for improvement. With the support and advice of the Environmental Issues Committee,
the Office of Environmental Health and Safety will supervise the biannual review
of this policy statement and give recommendations for updates as needed.

Clarification of the University's Political Position

The University of Oregon maintains a neutral political position and has a long-standing
policy that it will not implement policies or undertake practices that would
be generally understood to be political in character. The phrases "environmental
responsibility" and "social leadership" in this policy shall not be interpreted
to compromise, conflict with, or violate this neutral political position.